Practically everyone here in Lake County knows how lucky we are to live in a region with so much natural beauty, unspoiled wildlife habitat, and varied outdoor recreational opportunities, but fewer people may be aware of the vital contribution these characteristics make to our economic prosperity.
Shortly before the holidays more than 100 economists from all around the United States, including three Nobel laureates, wrote to President Obama urging him to “create jobs and support businesses by investing in our public lands infrastructure and establishing new protected areas such as parks, wilderness, and monuments.” The letter provides solid numerical evidence demonstrating that protected public lands are essential to the West”s economic future, attracting innovative companies and workers and contributing a vital component of the region”s competitive advantage.
Protecting special places encourages tourism and increases recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
According to the Outdoor Industry Foundation, outdoor recreation supports 408,000 jobs across the state, contributes $46 billion annually to the state economy, and produces $28.1 billion annually in retail sales and services across California. Local communities benefit too: a recent study found that in Fresno and Tulare counties jobs grew by 11 percent and real personal income rose 24 percent after the creation of the nearby Giant Sequoia National Monument.
Closer to home, similar economic potential is offered by the proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area, which will permanently preserve 500,000 ecologically sensitive acres of federal public land in the Inner Coast Range.
The proposed NCA, extending 100 miles north to south and including portions of seven counties, contains three federal Wilderness areas, a Wild and Scenic River, critical habitat for bald eagles, tule elk, and the Pacific fisher, and more rare plants than anyone can begin to list. As was demonstrated by the Clearlake City Council”s unanimous vote of support in November, protecting this natural treasure will strengthen local economies by enhancing Lake County”s attraction for visitors beyond the summer season, while preserving the natural beauty and biological diversity that are such crucial components of our long term prosperity.
The BSMNCA campaign expects to move into high gear in 2012, with the introduction of enabling legislation by Congressman Mike Thompson and Senator Barbara Boxer. To learn more, please attend the first Sierra Club Lake Group meeting of 2012, which will feature a presentation on this exciting natural area, the benefits that designation will provide both ecologically and economically, and the next steps towards making it a reality. The meeting, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 24, in the Highlands Senior Center at the corner of Bowers and Burns Valley Road in Clearlake.
Victoria Brandon
Lower Lake
